Noemi C. Gonzales retires after 37 years of service

After serving the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry for 37 years, Noemi C. Gonzales, RDA, hung up her lanyard and retired on Monday, August 31, 2020. Noemi first arrived on campus August 18, 1983 to work as a dental assistant in the senior student clinic, which she did for two years. She moved on to work in what was known as the Simulated Private Practice (SPP) clinic, the site for a three-week senior student rotation meant to simulate the flow of a private practice office. She worked in the SPP for fifteen years under the leadership of Beatrice R. Pena, clinical supervisor – senior, until the rotation dissolved. Consequently, Noemi took on a patient care coordinator role for next two years. An opportunity as a clinical research coordinator came her way which she took on and served eight more years under the direction of Spencer Redding, DDS, MEd, professor emeritus. In 2007, Noemi began also traveling to isolated South Texas clinics with Elaine Neenan, DDS, MPH, MS, Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH, associate dean for external affairs, and Vidal Balderas, DDS, MPH, associate professor, to provide essential dental services to those without access to proper care. Finding fulfillment in serving the community, Noemi moved into a clinical operation manager position, which she kept until retirement, overseeing UTHSA clinical operations at the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic. Senior dental students rotate at the clinic for one week to provide primary dental care services for special needs patients including those affected by homelessness. “I grew up in the place,” Noemi says of the School of Dentistry. “I saw so many students come and go, dental deans, presidents, faculty…I’m giving my age away,” she jokes. “I’ve met so many fine people during my journey at UT. My best years were when I started working with my team: Dr. Neenan, Dr. Pineda, and Dr. Balderas. I will never forget them!” There is no doubt that her team will ever forget her either. Dr. Balderas and Dr. Pineda have both experienced the advantage of Noemi’s support since they were dental students. “Mrs. Noemi Gonzales has been a part of the positive UT support system I benefited from since the early eighties, when I graduated from dental school,” Dr. Balderas says. “As part of the UTHSA faculty family since 1987, I have come to see and appreciate the value of Noemi’s contributions to students and faculty alike. Her service in dental assisting for programs in the community and later assisting our faculty by serving as coordinator of these programs, has been an immeasurable blessing.” “I first met Noemi while I was a dental student and she was an assistant in the SPP clinic,” Dr. Pineda fondly recounts. “She is an individual that has a heart of service and was always willing to help us implement the various programs which included the Mobile Van Programs, to various colonias and Laredo during the period from 2007-2009. She was instrumental in helping us achieve outcomes for various recruitment and outreach initiatives. She gave UT Health San Antonio many years of great service and will be missed. We wish her many blessings as she enjoys a well-deserved retirement.” The School of Dentistry wishes to thank Noemi, for the countless hours she has tended to its faculty, staff, students, and patients. She leaves a legacy of excellence behind her and will always be considered part of the school’s community.